Virginia Lawmakers Reject Proposal to Restrict Guns in State Capitol

RICHMOND, Va. – The House of Delegates overwhelmingly rejected a proposal Wednesday to restrict the possession of guns at the Virginia Capitol.

The House voted 77-18 to reject Delegate Lionel Spruill's proposed change in House rules. The rule would have prohibited guns only in areas of Capitol Square controlled by the House, which has no say over space controlled by the Senate.

House Republican Leader Morgan Griffith said that was a major flaw in the proposal. He also said that while the proposal exempted police officers, visiting dignitaries would be unable to bring their armed bodyguards.

Spruill said some citizens visiting the Capitol earlier this week felt unsafe because gun-rights activists were on the grounds carrying their firearms.